Int/riba 72 weeks. Had the rash bad I found that using a good thick moisturizing lotion like gold bond helped a lot. Use it SEVERAL times a day. As was explainned a rash like this is a form of eczema - hydration can help a lot, especially if it's not very bad.
Prescription steroids work great but you cannot use them for long periods of time on your face for example, they cause thinning of the skin - I believe that is what the doctor told me.
Thank you to everyone for responding to my concern over rash. Went to see dr. and while it is over my entire body it is considered mild. Will keep my eye on it and report any changes.
Like Pooh said, these 2 I also found very effective
Fluocinonide Ointment (topical steroid ointment for my body)
Hydroxyzine 50 mg oral every 6 hours
I was taking 4 benedryl at a time every 4 hours until doctors finally gave them to me....
My freind be very careful with the Rash as the FDA updated the information on the rash it can be Fatal in less than 1% of people if left long enuff,Please google latest info on the rash from Telaprevir,good luck.
You have been on the drugs only 1 week. If you already have a rash on your neck and chest, get on top of it right away. These rashes can and will snowball out of control rapidly. (You are not being a wimp.)
Over the counter steroids creams and over the counter antihistamines were useless for me, totally useless. They did nothing. My treatment team was useless and dragged their feet doing nothing until the rash was really pretty bad and I demanded they do something. I paid for their incompetence with a lot of misery. Plus, it is my firm belief that had they gotten on top of it right away, the rash would never have been as severe as it got and would never have lasted as long as it did.
When I finally got on the meds that helped, they were the following, which are all prescriptions:
Fluocinonide Ointment (topical steroid ointment for my body)
Clobetesol soln. (steroid solution for my scalp)
Hydrocortisone Valerate cream (steroid cream for my face)
Hydroxyzine 50 mg oral every 6 hours
It was not until I got on the Hydroxyzine 50 mg every 6 hours that the rash and itching finally got under control.
Do not be afraid to advocate for yourself. The rash can and will snowball. Some people on this forum have had to stop treatment because their doctors did not treat their rashes appropriately (quickly enough and/or with the appropriate and strong enough medication).
I had bad rashes throughout treatment, 6 mos riba/peg interferon....twice i was on steroids, eventually prescribed a steroid cream used in conjunction with the hydrocortison. Everyone is different and will suffer thru different side effects of these poisons
I also did triple with Incivek. My treatment nurse had me take Zertec, an antihistime daily. I also used Clobetosol ointment when the itching and rash became intolerable. When I forgot to take the Zertec, the rash became worse. it was a great reminder to take it.
I'm done with Incivek now and the rash and itching has subsided a bit. I am still taking the Zertec.
good luck.
I had some rash on my hands after the 1st week, It lasted for 2 weeks and then cleared.
I guess you need to keep an eye on it. Try the recommended cream and see how it goes. But make sure you contact the doctor ASAP if it extends to other areas or if it changes
Good luck